Inauguration Day Through a California Lens
We sent a team of reporters and producers to Washington D.C. this week to take the pulse of the Californians who travelled there to protest, or to celebrate. Scott Shafer, our senior editor for KQED's California Politics and Government Desk, joined us from the capital to talk about the mood among Californians he met there.
Start the Conversation: Reaching Common Ground Across a Political Divide
As we chatted with Californians in Washington this week, we asked some of them to talk to each other. We eavesdropped on Kimball Allen and Mike Simpfenderfer chatting with each other on the steps of the Jefferson Memorial earlier this week. Kimball is a gay man attending the inauguration week protests with his husband. Mike is a father of four, and a Trump delegate who came to watch the inaugural celebration. We're calling these segments 'Start the Conversation,' and the idea is to ask Californians who may stand on opposite sides of a political divide to dialogue with each other, and maybe reach some common ground.
Interfaith Vigil Provides Some Comfort in Fresno
Some anti-Trump protesters took to the rainy California streets this week while others came together inside to pray, including at an interfaith vigil in Fresno. The Central Valley is one of the nation's most robust farming regions, and has its share of vocal Trump supporters. But this vigil united people who feel threatened by Trump's stance on Obamacare, religious freedom and immigration.
Letters to the Next President: Stop Gun Violence
Ever since Election Day, we've been bringing you letters from California teens, sharing their hopes and concerns in messages to the next president. It's part of a collaboration with the National Writing project that collected more than 12,000 letters from teens across the U.S. This week, we air our final letter, from Raquel, a senior at Camino Nuevo Charter Academy in Los Angeles.
Stopping Suicide, With Help From the Local Gun Shop
The debate over gun ownership can drive a wedge between gun enthusiasts and public health researchers. When health experts start talking about mental health and gun-related suicides, gun advocates may feel like their 2nd amendment rights are under attack. Today, we hear about some gun sellers who want to be part of the solution when it comes to suicides involving firearms.